Jerusalem, July 15: Sri Lankan defence minister Tilak Marapana and naval chief are on a visit to Israel to bolster an estimated 20-million-dollar arms purchase for the country's navy. Marapana and naval commander vice-admiral Daya Sandagiriare are visiting the country to buy new weapons control systems for the Dabur naval patrol boats Lanka bought several years ago from Israel and the deal is said to be worth at least 20 million dollars, media reported today. On their high-profile visit, originally classified as top secret, that began last week, the defence minister and naval chief are accompanied by an entourage of Sri Lankan military and civilian officials. The Lankan defence minister is also likely to meet his counterpart in Israel and security officials, daily 'Ha'aretz' reported. The visit has come at a time when tensions have been rising between the Sri Lankan navy and the LTTE following the sinking of the second tiger merchant vessel in disputed waters.

The tiger rebels have been accused of trying to smuggle in weapons despite a ceasefire that is in place since February 23 last year.


Bureau Report